Struggling Brisbane are expected to welcome back hooker Andrew McCullough for Friday’s NRL clash with Melbourne.

The Broncos crashed to their fifth loss in seven games in Saturday’s 40-14 defeat by Canterbury.

McCullough missed the match due to a thumb injury. It is the second time the Broncos rake has spent an extended period on the sidelines this season due to injury.

Bogged down by State of Origin, the Broncos have struggled without McCullough in recent weeks.

“We have missed him,” Broncos prop Josh McGuire told Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

Centre-threequarter Tom Opacic, who made his NRL debut against the Bulldogs, is out for six weeks due to a foot ligament injury, further testing the depth of Brisbane’s outside backs.

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett said Jordan Kahu might be back to meet the Storm at Suncorp Stadium, but Jack Reed is at least another week away.

Matt Gillett left ANZ Stadium in the second half against the Dogs with an eye injury and didn’t return. However he is expected to be right for Friday.